BUNDABERG RUM DISTILLERY DESTROYED BY FIRE Damage To Buildings , Plant , And Loss Of Rum And Spirit , £ 200,000 INSURANCES TOTAL £ 144,025 ARE HELD BY 25 COMPANIES AND : BUNDABERG , November 21 . STRUCK by a bolt of lightning tonight , the Bunda berg rum distillery caught fire and was destroyed . There were scores of terrific explosions as vast vats of rum caught alight . The distillery was destroyed by fire on a previous occasion about 25 or 26 years ago . The damage to the buildings , plant , and loss of rum and methylated spirit is estimated at £ 200,000 . When the insurances are paid it is anticipated that they will be the greatest paid in Queensland , with one exception , that of the Millaquin refinery , which was destroyed by fire in 1927 . A violent thunderstorm occurred in the early evening , but the rain had practically ceased , when there was a terrife explosion at the distillery about 6.30 The general manager ( Mr G. S. Moore ) , who lives about 75 yards from the distillery , rushed outside and saw that the eastern corner of the building had been struck by lightning . The woodwork already had caught alight . He ran into the building with a night watchman , and together they vainly endeavoured to quell the outbreak in its early stages . They were joined by others , but their task was hopeless , and the fire quickly spread to vats of rum . In a few minutes the whole of the distillery was a raging inferno . The distillery was located at East Bundaberg , overlooking the Burnett River , and the buildings covered an area of 3 I acres and were situated close to the Millaquin refinery and crushing plant . The fire was most spectacular , with the flames leaping hundreds of feet into the air . The explosions resembled the booming of big guns , and with each exploslon sheets of iron and other debris were hurled into the air . The spirit burnt furiously and defled the Herculean efforts of the fire brigade , engineere , police , and hundreds of civilians , who were powerless to subdue the outbreak in the distillery and who then centred their efforts on saving the adjoining buildings . For two hours the home of the general manager was threatened , but it was saved . Three huge molasses tanks , one of 1,000,000 gallons espacity and two each of 360,000 gallons capacity , were also saved . Practically the whole of the interior of the huge buildings was constructed of bricks and fron . The firemen steceeded in saving the boiler in the engine - room , which suffered little damga . STACK PULLED DOWN . The towering fron stack 80 ft . high and weighing 30 tons endangered the machinery room in the event of a collapse , and the engineers , with the aid a traction engine , pulled it down for the sake of safety . It was a big undertaking in view of frequent explosions , but it was successfully performed . The whole town and distriet for miles around were illuminated by the blaze , and its reflection was plainly visible at Childers and Gin Gin , over 30 miles away . Viewed from the northern bank of the Burnett River , the sight was a remarkable one as hundreds of thousands of gallons of burning rum and spirit flower from the bursting vats over the bank of the river and floated , blazing , on the surface for a considerable distance . There were in all 63 vats of spirit , each containing 10,000 gallons . In addition , there were hundreds of 100gallon drums filled with denaturant and other mat used in the process of distillation . NOT A DROP SAVED . Society Ltd to £ 10,500 , and the Mercantile Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd to £ 10,500 . Other amounts range from £ 7900 to £ 500 . The directors have protected the business by consequential loss insurance for £ 21.000 out of the total amount , this protection having been availed of to enable the distillery ir the event of a disastrous fire loss to retain its executive staff and skilled employees as well as to protect the shareholders ' dividends by including in the indemnity their profits and standing charges for a full term of one year after any fire loss . The insurances were distributed as follows : Standard Insurance Co. of New Zealand , £ 15,000 ; Atlas Assurance Co. Ltd , £ 13.250 ; London Assurance Co. , 47900 ; Alliance Assurance Co. Ltd , E7600 ; Guardian Assurance Ltd. , £ 7500 ; Western Assurance Co. , £ 7200 ; State Government Insurance Office , £ 6800 ; Royal Exchange Assurance of London , £ 6700 ; Mercantile Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 6400 ; North British and Mercantile Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 6100 ; Union Assurance Society Ltd , £ 5000 ; Queensland Insurance Co. Ltd. £ 5100 , Northern Assurance Co. Ltd , 45100 ; New Zealand Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 4700 ; South British Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 3000 ; Union Fire , Accident , and General Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 3800 ; Royal Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 2100 ; London Guarantee Co. Ltd , £ 1700 ; Central Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 1500 ; Lancashire Insurance Co. , £ 1100 : Sea Insurance Co. , £ 1000 ; Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 900 ; Insurance Office of Australia Ltd , £ 775 ; British Traders ' Insurance Co. Ltd. £ 600 ; Batavia Sea and Fire Insurance Co Ltd , £ 500 . The consequential loss insurance is held as follows : Union Assurance Soelety Ltd , £ 10,500 ; Mercantaile Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd , £ 10,500 . Body Of Missing Woman Found In Week - end Cottage SYDNEY , November 21 . While police searched for Mrs Alice Esther Curtis , 27 , wife of Mr W. J. Curtis , K.C. , she was dead in the bathroom of her husband's week - end cottage at Collaroy . Her body was diecovered today by her husband , who had gone to the cottage to spend the week - end . She was fully dressed , and it is thought she died there last Monday . Mrs Curtis had been missing from her home at Kirribilli since 11 a.m. last Monday . She had not been in good health . Mr Curtis occupied the cottage last week - end . The police believe his wife went straight there after she left Kirribilli on Monday . They learned that her bank account was not drawn upon during the week . As she had not communicated with any friends , this fact increased the fears for her safety . NEARLY AT PEACETIME STRENGTH Army Recruiting to Cease SYDNEY , November 22 . The Minister for Defence ( Sir Archdale Parkhill ) announced yesterday that the Commonwealth militia was now at peace - time strength , voluntary enrolments having reached a total of nearly 35,000 . Recruiting would cease shortly , with the exception that vacancies would be filled after the last man of the required 35,000 had been enlisted . The total enrolment , to November 11 was 33,755 , of whom 31.545 were actual enlistments and 2210 men awaiting the final examination . Additional recruiting had taken place since that date , and it was expected that the full peace - time strength would be reached by the end of November . It was past midnight before the flames were subdued to any great extent , and the spirit in the iron vats continued to burn brightly throughout the night . One huge cast iron vat containing 75,000 gallons of white and methylated spirit burnt all day and was still in flames tonight . Not a drop of spirit was saved , and altogether 3,000 proof gallons of rum and about 150.000 gallons of white and methylated spirit were consumed , as well as 100.000 gallons of liquid in the process of fermentation . In addition to the hond stores and other buildings , the walls were destroyed as the burning liquid swept over them . The damage to the building and plant and the loss of rum and methylated spirit is estimated at £ 200,000 . The great bulk of the rum had passed the maturing stage of two years and a large quantity had been maturing for eight years . While the damage is estimated at 4200.000 , the potential loss of rum , had it actually gone into consumption and duty been charged would have been about £ 2,000,000 . The buildings covered an area of three acres situated close to the Millaquin refinery and crushing plant . FISH IN DIFFICULTIES . The atmosphere for miles around today was permeated with rum and spirit . Hundreds of people were on the river in boats catching fish struggling on the surface . Fish of all varieties were floating about in thousands ranging in size up to 20 lb. barramundi and almon , and an occasional shark was seen in difficulties . THE INSURANCES . The insurances total £ 144,023 are held by 25 companies , of which the Standard Insurance Company of New Zealand Ltd is interested to the extent . of £ 15.000 . the Atlas Assurance Co. Ltd to £ 13,250 , the Union Insurance and HEELED OVER AND SANK SIX WENT DOWN WITH SHIP OWEN SOUND ( Ont . ) , Nov. 21 . The motor ship Hibou heeled over and suddenly sank in Georgian Bay . The captain , a stewardess , and five seadrowned . Ten survivors men were reached the shore on A raft , which they paddled with their hands , and they were taken to hospital suffering from exhaustion and exposure . DEATH OF LORD JOICEY LONDON , November 22 . The death has occurred of Lord Joicey , chairman and managing diree . tor of Messrs James Joicey and to . Ltd and the Lambeth colleries , the two largest colliery companies , county of Durham , and a member of the House of Commons for 21 years , at the age of 90 . VAST UNDERTAKING ACCOMPLISHED Hume Weir Opened By Governor - General Largest In Southern Hemisphere SYDNEY , November 22 . The Governor General ( Lord ) Gowrie ) opened the Hume Weir yesterday by pressing an electrically controlled button and releasing a large volume of water from two huge valves . The weir is nine miles up stream from Albury at the junction of the Murray and Mitta Mitta Rivers . Many hundreds of people who had assembled for the ceremony on the bank of the New South Wales side of the weir witnessed a colourful and impressive spectacle . From the valves the water gushed into the Murray River . Seventeen years ago Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson , then Governor - General turned the first sod of this gigantic undertaking . The Hume reservoir , which is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere , has a storage capacity of 344,000,000,00 ) gallons and will irrigate 4,000,000 acres . THREE SYDNEY HARBOURS . A great earthern embankment and concrete dam - taking its name from the explorer , Hamilton Hume , who , with Captain Hovell , crossed the Murray at this point on their way to Port Phillip in 1824 - runs for a mile from within Victoria , across the river and into New South Wales . Backed up behind it is a vast inland lake , whose surface area is about three times that of Sydney Harvour . Thirty miles up the River Murray arm it runs , and 21 miles up the Mitta Mitta River arm . The missive concrete wall , 1042 feet long and the earthern embankments , 4238 feet long , have built up storage for 1,250,0000 acre feet of water , providing a means of regulating the runoff fro the catchment area of 6000 square miles of mountainous country . And below it , in three States , are 1,500,000 acres of land which can be irrigated from the Murray and its tribu taries . The great body of water can be controlled by seven needle values , 7 ft 6 in . in diameter , each outlet being provided with a Stoney sluice gate at the upstream end for emergency purposes . HYDRO - ELECTRIC PLAN . An eye has been kept on future needs . Provision has been made for three of the valves to be replaced at some later date by hydro - electrie turbines for the generation of electricity , and the dam has been constructed to provide for an increase in storage to 2,000,000 acre feet . The constructi of the dam has meant other changes . A novel roadway across the embankment and a bridge over the spillway have provided a new interatate traffle route of considerable economic and tourist value . Many miles of roads and railways have had to be diverted and a great steel bridge of nine 270 ft spans constructed across the reservoir staelf to provide access to the Bethanga district , which would otherwise be praetically isolated by the waters stored in the valleys of the Murray and Mitta Mitta rivers . With the construction of these ronds round the reservoir , the roadway across the dam and the Bethanga Bridge , a complete circuit of the " lake distance of 150 miles - can be made , always within a short distance of the water . TOTAL COST £ 5,550,000 . The whole works have cont £ 5,550,000 . They have been carried out by the New South Wales Public Works Department and the Victorian State Rivers and Water Supply Commission . as joint constructing authorities for the River Murray Commission . Impressive though it is , the Hume Reservoir is only part of a great acheme to put to their best use the waters of the Murray and ita tributaries . The scheme agreed to by the Governments of the Commonwealth . New South Wales . Vietoria , and South Australia comprises in the main : ( 1 ) A system of storage in the Upper Murray ( the Hume Dam ) . ( 2 ) A system of storage at Lake Vietoria . ( 3 ) Nine weirs and locks in the course of the Murray below Wentworth . ( 4 ) Seventeen weirs and locks in the course of the river from Wentworth to Echuca . ( 5 ) Nine weirs and locks in the Murrumbidgee between the with the Murray and Hay . junetion VITAL AUSTRALIA NEED , Lord Gowrie , who was accompanied Iry Lady Gowrie , said in his speech at the official opening ceremony that the conservation of water was in Australia vital and urgent problem . The Hume dam was by far the largest and most important of the works constructed under the Murray seheme . He mentioned that it was Captain Charles Sturt who had named the mighty river the Murray . If it were only possible for him and the nther explorers , together with those who did so much to establish irrigation in Ans tralia - men such as Sir Samuel Me Caughey . Mr William Webb , Mr Stuart Murray , Mr Alfred Deakin , and Chaffey brothers - to be there he felt sure they would express their utmost gratification and satisfaction that these waters had been brought under control . a being the The Minister for the Interior ( Mr Paterson ) . who represented the Prime Minister , said that an insurance been effected against drought . had wrought such havoc in the past and at times transformed the river into a trickling stream . Pad which The New South Wales Minister for Public Works ( Mr P. Spooner ) , who represented the State Premier , Faid that work was now proceeding on the Wakool and Berriquin schemes . inder which more than 1,000,000 acres of dry land in New South Wales would receive permanent water . THE MORNING BULLETIN , THE LONG SPILLWAY on the Hume Weir , showing the huge jet of the dam . The Governor - General ( Lord Gowrie ) opened the reservoir on Saturday last . Classification Of Films By Reviewing Office For Catholics Of Australia SYDNEY , November 21 . Archbishop Duhig expalined tonight the precise decision of the Catholic Hierarchy of Australia following the Papal encyclical on films . Once a year every Catholic in Australia will solemnly promise not to attend films offensive to truth or Chris' tian morality . This promise will be obtained through parish the church or school , with the cooperaof parents and Catholic tion papers . The central national reviewing office ill be established in Sydney , and will assify films under three headings : ( a ) se permitted to all ; ( b ) those peratted with reservations : ( e ) those demned as harmful or positively M. Since conditions are much the same Australia as in America , the classination of the American Legion of Dethey will be adopted here . Archbishop Duhig said that the prinal function of the national reviewing dice would be to maintain close conart with the Legion of Decency , in der to know the classification of the Ims issued periodically by the league . The one code will apply throughout Australia , but should grave reasons mally require it bishops in their own docese will be able to apply to the utional list more severe criteria . The central national office will conist of three or five laymen and women , well as clergy , under the presidency da priest chosen by the bishops . Archbishop Duhig said that in other ountries the diocesan secretariats had leen tion ofted to arrange the exhibi educational films in Catholia alls , and it was probable the example rould be followed in Australia . Greta Garbo In Studio Accident HOLLYWOOD , November 21 . GRETA GARBO had a close escape from serious injury when a brick wall of a cinema background collapsed , burying her in a portable dressing room in a pile of debris . Garbo was asleep inside at the time . 10 RURAL AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES QUEENSLAND INSTALLATION BRISBANE , November 22 . Although he held out no hope of an early reduction in postage charges , the Director - General of Posts and Telegraphs ( Mr H. Brown ) , who arrived in Brisbane today from the South , outlined several important projected improvements in his Department's services . These include the provision of additional communication channels between Brisbane and Sydney , Brisbane and Townsville , Brisbane and Lismore , and Brisbane and Goondiwindi , the establishment of 10 new rural automatie exchanges in Queensland , and a reduction . in the tariff on the overseas telephone service . Mr Brown is travelling to Townsville , where he will open the new regional broadcasting station , 4QN , on Thursday . Before he returns to Brisbane he will endeavour to inspect the postal facilities at various centres . MR G. J. TWINE DEATH IN SYDNEY BRISBANE , November 22 . After B brief illness , Mr George Johnston Twine , general manager and director of the Queensland Cement and Lime Co. Ltd , died in the Lewisham Hospital , Sydney , last night . He had been undergoing medical treatment in Sydney for a week . Mr Twine was born at Maryborough about 45 years ago and qualified as a metallurgist at the Mount Morgan School of Mines . When the war broke out he went to England , where his qualifications earned for him a position in an explosives factory at Gretna . Returning to Australia late in 1918 , he joined the Queensland Cement and Lime Company as a chemist , but had not long been there before he was ap pointed works manager . He occupied that position until 1927 , when he berame general manager . and shortly afterwards he was elected a director of the company . He is survived by a widow and three sons . The body will be brought to Brisbane for burial . Caught By High Wind And Crashed FOKKER MONOPLANE Pilot and Two Passenger Injured SYDNEY , November 22 . THE pilot and two passengers were injured when 8 Fokker three - engined monoplane , carrying four joy - riders , crashed in landing in a high wind at the Kingsford Smith aerodrome yesterday after . noon . Warren Penney , the pilot , and also a well - known radio announcer , suffered head injuries . After receiving treatment at the South Sydney Hospital , he was allowed to leave . Mrs M. Kelly , of Cronulla , suffered lacerations to the right arm and internal injuries . Richard . Hayden , of Malabar , was treated for shock . The plane , owned by Eastern Air Transport Ltd. was landing after a joy flight at the conclusion of aerial pageant . A high wind caught the machine , swung it around , and it tilted up on its nose . A wing of the machine was badly damaged . centre engine ploughed into the ground and the propellers were broken . the The PLANE CRASHES INTO TREES . GRAFTON , November 22 . A Gipsy Moth plane flying from Brisbane to Sydney , piloted by Mr A. Stevens , an Air Force pilot , erashed into scrub near Iluka , Clarence Heads , yesterday morning . Neither the pilot nor his passenger , Mr F. M. Goster , was injured . connecting rad broke when the plane was flying at a good height . The pilot endeavoured to reach the beach at Dickenson's Bay , near Iluka ferry punt , but the plane lost height and crashed into timber . The smashed , the underwings carriage wrenched out of position , and the engine wrecked . The mishap oeeurred within a stone's throw of the beach , where a good landing would probably have been effected , but the height was insufficient to enable the machine to pass over the timber the were WOMAN AND PILOT PERISH . LONDON , November 21 . Boarding an air liner at Blackpool , carrying a parcel of toys which she was taking home to her children in the Isle of Man , the woman perished a minute later when the machine crashed into the hangar and burst into flames . The pilot also was killed . The woman's mother witnessed the crash . AIR UNIVERSITY MELBOURNE , November 22 . Because of the increasingly higher standard of knowledge and experience required of commercial pilots Australia's present serious shortage of pilots is likely to continue for some time . An air university , in which young men will be given teaching and experience in all branches of aviation , is the solution of the problem . Already nine men are under instruetion for their B licences at the Australian National Airways School . Some of them are nearing the stage when they can go on to the airliners as apprentice pilots . Nearly all pilots on the air line at present are either former Air men or former Aero Club instructors , " said Mr C. H. Scott , flying superintendent of the air line . The first graduate of the company's school . however , has now joined the staff , and more will do an as they are trained . " Force EXPERIMENTS IN BLENDING OF WOOL AND STAPLE FIBRE LONDON , November 22 . The Associated Press's special Manchester correspondent states : " Important developments have been made in the use of staple fibre rayon blended 50-50 with Australian wool and spun on cotton machinery . This is an entirely new outlet for wool and shorter Cape wools can be utilised . Textile leaders in Manchester are anxious to dispel the idea current in Australia that staple fibre is the big . bad wolf , ousting wool . Except in Germany , owing to economie stress , staple fibre is an unsatisfactory substitute for wool , but it is hoped to be an important helpmate , simultaneously helping the idle cotton plants . Cortaulds are building a mill at Bingley to demonstrate new method to Yorkshire . It is claimed that it will mean an enormous increase in variety of styles of novelty dress and clothing fabrics . Moreover , the finished garments will be cheaper than wool , and therefore will have a wider outlet . the INCREASE WOOL DEMAND . It is predicted that the fibre will make wool more attractive and more veres tile . The fringe of possibilities has hitherto been only touched . The impression is that staple fibre mixed with wool for dress and hosiery furnishing will tend to reduce the consumption of cotton and increase the consumption of wool . An important development is experted in 1927 in worsted flannels made from fibre and wool blends , the processing which is cheaper on cotton machinery . Staple fibre at present is favoured an It has no duty , but ed . per lb is levied on filament rayon . The largest Egyptian cotton spinners in Lancashire are now making wool and staple fibre mixture yarns . ROCKHAMPTON , MONDAY , NVEMBER 23 , 1936 . NO VITAL CHANGE IN SIX DAYS THE BATTLE OF MADRID Government Violently Denouncing Italy And Germany " Recognition Of Franco Is Tantamount To Open Declaration Of War On Spain , " Says " Isvestia " Despite a day - long icy rain . the Spanish Government claims that the Madrid situation has improved . The insurgents claim successes in certain quarters of the city . It is reported , however , that there has been no vital change in six days . Non - combatants are to be evacuated . The Spanish Government violently denounces Italy and Germany , to whom General Franco telegraphed his warmest thanks for their recognition . " Isvestia , " a Russian newspaper , declares that GermanItalian recognition of Franco is tantamount to an open declaration of war on Spain . It is reported that General France has issued a new warning to France and Russia that he will destroy all ships bringing arme to Spain . Simultaneously a Barcelona station announces that Russian freighters are discharging abundant supplies in port . MADRID , November 22 . The insurgents claim to have driven back the militia captain in the model prison , which was battered by General Franco's guns . It was defended by thousands of armed machine guns and hand grenades . It fell after the attackers rushed a labyrinth of barricades amid streets of piled dead . The insurgents also claim to have penetrated the Passo de Rosales , Princesa , and St Vincente streets and secured the Montana ) barracks after an assault on five barricades . Even if the claims are correct , the advance is only small . On the contrary , the Government declares that despite day - long icy rain the situation has improved . The militia's advance lines are everywhere . and they have consolidated the posttion . The Government troops claim to have wiped out with machine gun fire squadrons of Moroccan cavalry at . tempting to enter the grounds of the University city . The defence committee has decided to evacuate the non - combatante , and for this reason they are mobilising 1000 taxi - cabe . A rebel broadcast alleges that most of the defenders in Madrid are Russians . VALENCIA , November 22 . The Government is violently denouncing Italy and Germany . It de clares that Italy has found General Franco an accomplice to an attempt to Spain into a disguised colony , adding to Abyssinia an empire in the Balearie Islanda . Germany has been a worthy collaborator , as she hopes to find a sale for war materials for re - armament against nations refusing to become her vassals , for which reason they are using troops under the sultanate of Morocco , while nations which are co - protectors of Morocco remain silent . Nevertheless , the Republican claim is sufficiently strong to triumph and can count on the support of Mexico , Russia , and a majority of democracies throughout the world . THREAT TO DESTROY SHIPS . LONDON , November 22 . The rebels ' broadcast threat to destroy ships carrying arms has not yet reached the Russian or French GovernFurther broadcasts announcements . that a neutral zone will not be established at Barcelona for foreign vessels , which may be a broadcast of General Franco's answer , which Britain hitherto has not received , but which it had not expected so early . In the meantime it is reported that the rebels aank another Spanish merchantman off the Catalan Coast . The " Observer diplomatic correspondent says : " One of the oddities of the situation is that Britain is not impatient about General Franco's reply . as she need not make further decisions until it has been received . Indeed , the view is widespread that international repercussions threaten imminent crisis which Britain is anxious to stave off as long as possible . Accordingly . Britain maintains the fiction of the Non - intervention Committee and deHiberately quibbles in regard to recognising the belligerent status of both sides . Britain's position is difficult , an she regards Russia as the chief offender against non - intervention and on general principles refuses to associate herself with Communism in a European confliet of idealogists , which necessary as Britain has embarked on an attempt to improve Anglo - Italian relations . " is more MAY CLASH WITH ITALIAN NAVY There is danger that the Russian at tempt to supply the rebels with arms and men through Barcelona may lead to a clash with the Italian navy , with the possibility of effecting the AngloItalian conversations . On the con . trary , Britain is anxious to avoid unnecessarily antagonising the European forces which constitute what may be called the " Russian system . " It is reported from Paris that General Franco , on the strength of GermanItalian recognition , intends to take legal action against the Bank of France to recover £ 60,000,000 in gold which the Spanish Government sent there . LONDON , November 21 . to a Teneriffe radio station , General Franco has issued a new warning to France and Russia that According he will destroy all ships taking arms to Spain . Simultaneously a Barcelona station announced that Russian freighters are discharging abundant supplies in port . Diplomatic eireles in Madrid are asking the Government to induce General Franco to cease his bombardment in view of the lack of protection for Twenty inches of snow civilians . slowed down the fighting . The military position appears to have reached a stalemate . No vital change has occurred in six days . General Franco has notified Whitehall that he has extended the safety zone . in Madrid to include the British and other embassies . MOSCOW , November 21 . " Isvestia , " declaring that Germany is trying to frighten Britain into isola reported agreement between Japan and Germany tion , bitterly attacks the as a plot against peace , enhancing the Japane menace against the United States and the German menace against Europe , which does not agree to be Herr Hitler's slave . The " Isvestia " also declares that the German - Italian recognition of General Franco la tantamount to an open declaration of war against Spain . GENERAL FRANCO'S GRATITUDE . General Franco has telegraphed to Hitler , expressing his " deep gratitude " for Germany's recognition . " IN BRITAIN'S OWN TIME . " The Daily Telegraph's " diplomatic correspondent says although it is expected that Britain will eventually accord belligerent rights to both sides in the Spanish war , she will maintain her right to reach such a decision in her own time , and her decision will be governed solely by consideration of British interests . When belligerent rights are accorded Spanish ships will be entitled to search British ships proceeding to Spanish ports , but until then no interference with British shipping on the high seas will be tolerated . Any attempt by either side to molest a British ship outside the three - mile limit will be met by counter - action . General Franco , it is pointed out , has not yet proclaimed a blockade in set terms , and as is probable , he merely decides to bombard Barcelona without seeking to establish an effective blockade , he is bound to give adequate warnIng . His suggestion that oreign shipping anchored in the harbour should withdraw " to avoid possible damage , " is not accepted as adequate warning . According to the " Daily Mail . " some British Ministers think that the granting of belligerent rights to both sides would be the most direct way to assert British neutrality and to avoid diplomatie misunderstandinga AERIAL WARFARE AT STANDSTILL A violent storm from the Atlantic has brought aerial warfare to a standstill , and hampered the general operations by General Franco for the maintenance of proposed blockade . The rebel fleet is composed of eight warships , two gunboats , one eruiser , and two destroyers , none of which is near Barcelona . The loyalists possess 16 warships and two submarines , but lack trained officers . Commenting on the position ereated by the communication with Burgos , the newspapers emphasise that a threat to bombard is a different thing from the declaration of a blockade . The right of blockade under international law exists only after recognition of the belligerent rights and even then only conditionally , inter alia , on the blockade being effective . Incidentally , the recognition of belligerent rights would not of itself involve recognition of the Burgos authorities as the Government . Headed by General O'Duffy , 40 Irishmen , most ex - service men , and including two doctors , have sailed from Dublin en route to Spain . to fight with General Franco's forces . General O'Duffy , in a message to the Irish people , states : " Cur motive is simple , but our object is definite . Our motive is born of Christianity ; our object is the defence of Christianity . " ITALIAN EDITOR'S WARNING . ROME , November 21 . Italy does not intend that there should spring up in Spanish territory a new political military base for Communism , declares Signor Gayda , editor of the " Giornale d'Italia . " If some great Power , he says , thought fit at the Montreux conference to open a door in the Mediterranean to Soviet warships laden with arms for use in a world revolution , Italy , a Mediterranean Power , and other strong European nations , are determined to prevent that grave error from becoming a starting point for the destruction of European order . ROME , November 22 . General Franco has telegraphed Signor Mussolini warmest thanks for Italy's recognition . BREST , November 22 . Four German torpedo boats , en te to Spain to relieve the Germans already there , anchored owing to one damaged her steering gear and being unable to proceed . having AMERICAN INSTRUCTION . WASHINGTON , November 21 . The State Department has given free authority to the secretary of the Madrid Embassy to close it and leave with his staff at his discretion . has also instructed the diplomatie representative at Barcelona to summon the 135 Americans in the district to he in readiness to depart on an American naval vessel whenever necessary . It Smith Defeats Lindrum At Snooker LONDON , November 21 . At snooker Smith beat Lindrum 3635. Newman beat Inman 44-27 . BILLIARDS AMATEUR Marshall Assured Winner of British Empire Championship BRILLIANT VICTORY OVER THOMPSON JOHANNESBURG , November 20 . The greatest amateur billiards ever seen in a competition match in South Africa was provided in the initial session of the game between Marshall and Thompson , English champion , tonight in the Empire billiards championBoth have been unbeaten ship . far . This match is considered to be the key match for Marshall ; if he wins he is assured of the title . 80 Marshall got going early and after workmanlil break of 84 , 73 , and 97 , he made a brilliant break of 248 , which smashed the South African Empire tournament record under the new 15 hazard rule previously jointly held by Marshall and Prior , when they piled 197 in the opening game of the tournament . com Thompson , towards of the end of the session , got busy with a big break , reaching 245. He had a change of equalling Marshall's figures , but tried to pot a difficult red and the ball stopped in the jaws of the pocket . At the close of the session Marshall had scored 999 , including breaks of 78 , 97 , 248 , 73 , 100 , and 104. Thompson had made 790 , including breaks of 83 , Marshall's average was 68 , and 245 . 33 and Thompson's 25.6 . JOHANNESBURG , November 22 . As a result of a brilliant vietory over Thompson , Marshall is the assured winner of the British Empire Amateur billiards championship Thompson played tenaciously against the brilliant Australian , and facing a deficit of 257 points , came within striking distance of his opponent with a couple of splendid breaks , but then Marshall , playing daringly and with the utmost confidence , collected a flawless 225 and followed this with 170 , being exactly 500 ahead at one stage . Thompson , although in a desperate position , showed splendid fighting qualities and made up a little leeway , actually getting within 220 of his opponent , but the Australian drew away with a perfectly compiled 180 , which definitely settled the issue . The final results wara Marshall 9952 Thompson 9458 IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF PERRY'S DECISION ROW WITH TENNIS OFFICIAL LONDON , November 21 . The " Dispatch's " Sunday gossiper states that money was not the only thing which made Perry turn professional . It was a row in the Wimbledon dressing room which pushed him over the brink . Perry had heated words with an important Davis Cup official while Crawford was nearby . Perry later said to Crawford : " What would you have done if an Australian official talked to you like that 1 " Crawford replied : " It would not have happened . If It had , something might have happened to would caught the first boat for Australle " Thereafter Parry complained that the official appeared to dislike him and he was unable to put his heart into the game , Wyatt Not Likely to Play Until After Third Test SYDNEY , November 22 . Another X - ray examination of Wyatt's fractured arm has revealed a slight dis placement of bone . The arm has again heen placed in plaster and Wyatt has been advised that it will be a month before the arm may be taken out of the plaster . He is not likely to play for England until after the third Test . BETTING FOR COMING BOUT FAVOURS CHAMPION NEW YORK , November 21 . The boxing editor of the New York Times " states : " Barney Ross , the welter champion , is a 2 to 1 favourite over Izzy Jannasso , the East Side lightweight , for next Friday's bout . odds will probably lengthen to 5 to 1 at the starting bell . The champion is at the top of his fighting condition . The " Jimmy McLarnin , 10.4 , by outpointing Lew Anders , 9.4 . lightweight champion , earned a chance to meet Ross " MARKET RACKETEERS AT WORK SYDNEY PRODUCE MARKETS EXPLOITED SYDNEY , November 21 . speculator who The forestaller - a buys up goods at market rates with the intention of reselling them at higher price is a menace in the city markets . a The operations of some men nothing short of racketeering . necessary middlemen , they take of the increasing price to the sumer , and help the growers negligibly . They were so prevalent in the fish markets that a special clause was inserted in an Act , which became law last week , to check their operations . Figures prepared by the State Marketing Bureau of the Department of March the Agriculture show that in producer out of average retail price of 98. 3d . per half case of tomatoes got 28. 1d . Of the remainder 58. 4d . went to the retailer , 9d . for agents ' commis are Un toll con sion and freight , and 1s . 1d . for the growers ' marketing costs . In January , when the retail price was exactly the same , the growers ' average return was only 1s . 34d . Last March beans averaged 5s . 11d . a bush retail , the growers ' average return being only 11d . a bushel . JAPANESE OFFICERS KIDNAPPED TOKIO , November 22 . The tension has been revived with Manchukuo owing to the kidnapping from the Peking - Mukden train five Japanese officers , including Mayor Fukada . varrison commander . The Foreign Office denies rennihity for the recent fighting in Suyang . of PAGE SEVEN